I received the paper & enclosed slip Saturday week, filling me so full of emotion I could not write, for I am too bitterly impatient of mere words. Soon, very soon, I come, my darling. I am not lingering, but held yet a little while by the firm grip of conscience--this is the last spring we shall be asunder--O I passionately believe there are years in store for us, years of tranquil, tender happiness--me making your outward life serene & sweet--you making my inward life so rich--me learning, growing, loving--we shedding benign influences round us out of our happiness and fulfilled life--Hold on but a little longer for me, my Walt--I am straining every nerve to hasten the day--I have enough for us all (with the simple, unpretending ways we both love best). Percy is battling slowly--doing as well as we could expect in the time. I think he will soon build the nest for his mate. I think he never in his heart believed I really should go to America, and so it comes as a great blow to him now. You must be very indulgent towards him for my sake, dear friend. I am glad we know about those rascally book agents--for many of us are wanting a goodish number of copies of the new edition & it is important to understand we may have them straight from you. Rossetti is making a list of the friends & the number, so that they may all come together. Perhaps, dearest friend, you may be having a great difficulty in getting the books out for want of funds--if so, let me help a little--show your trust in me and my love thus generously. Your own loving ANNIE. LETTER XXXIII ANNE GILCHRIST TO WALT WHITMAN _1 Torriano Gardens March 11, '76._ I have had such joy this morning, my Darling--Poems of yours given in the _Daily News_--sublime Poems one of them reaching dizzy heights, filling my soul with strong delight. These prefaced by a few words, timid enough yet kindly in tone, & better than nothing. The days, the weeks, are slipping by, my beloved, bearing me swiftly, surely to you--before the beauty of the year begins to fade we shall come. The young folk too are full of bright anticipation & eagerness now, I am thankful to say; and Percy getting on with, I trust, such near & definite prospect of his happiness that he will be able to pull along cheerily towards it after we are gone, in spite of loneliness.